Richard "Rick" Vincent Smiley

Richard “Rick” Vincent Smiley, 78, was born March 13, 1948, in Kansas City, Kansas, and died June 13, 2026. He was a longtime resident of East Wenatchee, Washington. Throughout his life, Rick was known as a beloved and devoted man—faithful in conviction, honest in word, loyal in friendship, and steady in the hard work he gave to everything entrusted to him.

In his early years, Rick played football in high school and joined the Navy right after high school, beginning a life marked by discipline and responsibility. He later entered work that took him far beyond home. With his brother-in-law, Rick helped build re-refineries for used oil in the Netherlands, Southern California, and other places around the world—work that reflected both his determination and the dependable skill he brought to complex undertakings.

Rick built a career in construction management and, over the course of his career, worked on four large projects. He also contributed to staffing the oil fields, interviewing candidates and training new hires so they could become successful, hard-working employees. In these roles, Rick’s integrity and diligence were evident—he valued honest effort, took people seriously, and believed in doing a job the right way.

Rick married his wife, Mary Lou Smiley, when they were 40. He was a devoted husband, and his loyalty and care were constants in their life together. Rick also loved his two sons, Adam and Andrew, very much, and his family remained at the center of his heart and priorities.

A lover of Jesus, Rick lived with a faithful spirit that shaped his days and anchored his life. He also found joy and renewal on the water: he loved sailing, and he and Mary Lou were members of Cabrillo Yacht Club in San Pedro, CA. He was also an avid golfer, appreciating the quiet focus and steady persistence the game requires—qualities that mirrored the way he approached life.

Rick is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Smiley.